As part of activities to commemorate this year’s Farmers’ Day Celebration in the Sene West District capital, Kwame Danso, 153 Fire Volunteers have been trained to help combat fires in the District.
The management of Digya National Park (DNP) in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Sene West District Assembly, sourced the volunteers from four Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) Communities namely Dwamkrom, Akenten, Kofi Djan and Drobe.
Under the theme, “Effective Bush Fire Prevention, Stakeholders’ Role In Ensuring A Greener Tomorrow”, the volunteers were trained by the GNFS and DNP officers to fully equip them with the necessary skills needed to execute their roles as fire volunteers. They were given certificates, ID cards, wellington boots and cutlasses in addition to, T-shirts with wildfire prevention messages inscribed on them, which were supplied by the management of Digya National Park.
The Bono East Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Naomi Ofori-Adubea, speaking at the event, reminded participants of the devastating effects of wildfire, and highlighted some of the menace of fire such as the destruction of natural resources, forest and grass land, wildlife habitat, river bodies, and farms, as well as infrastructure, properties and loss of lives.
“As we advance into the dry season, I will caution each and every one to be mindful of bush fires and its’ dire consequences”, she added.
She cautioned cigarette and other substance smokers not to throw away lighted cigarettes in dry bushes in order not to start bush fires. She extended similar advice to farmers, herdsmen and all who use fire in the bush to ensure that it is completely put out after use.
Madam Ofori-Adubea, reiterated the need to keep flammable substances in secured places at home and work places and advised them to have a fire plan to save lives in the event of a fire outbreak.
She used the opportunity to thank the management of DNP for their diverse support in the enrollment and training of the volunteers, and congratulated the volunteers for their devotions to help fight bush fire in the District.
She noted that the occurrence of bush fires this year, between the period of January to April, has almost doubled as compared to last year within the same time frame.
“Last year we recorded 23 cases of bush fire from January to April but this year the figure has increased to 43 cases representing 86.9 percent increase. This disturbing fact underlines the need for more fire volunteers to join the fight against bush fires”, she added.